Then known as Burma, the country gained independence from Britain in 1948. General Ne Win became the first military ruler in 1962 and later a self-appointed president until 1988. A student uprising in September 1988 ended Ne Win's reign, and established a new military rule.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) secured a landslide victory in the multi-party parliamentary elections in 1990 but the ruling generals refused to hand over power.

In August 2007, a massive hike in fuel prices set off massive demonstrations which saw tens of thousands taking to the streets, led by Buddhist monks. The military subsequently launched a deadly crackdown to end the protests.

As of July 2010, about 38 new political parties were approved for registration under new election laws. Previously there were 10 legally-registered parties, five of which chose to de-register including the NLD which cited flaws in the new laws.

Has signed but not ratified any of the selected international agreements on environmental protection.

Society

Myanmar has about 53.4 million people, predominantly Buddhists. No official census has been taken since 1983. It's population growth for 2010 is projected at slightly more than one per cent.

Major ethnic groups include Burman, Shan, Karen, Rakhine, Chinese, Mon and Indian, most of whom live in the country's eastern highlands.

The military government also faces ethnic insurgencies from tribal communities in the highlands.

More than one million stateless Rohingya and internally-displaced people are estimated to be living in refugee camps in Thailand and Bangladesh.

Over two million mostly ethnic minorities have fled the country for economic and political reasons, ending up in neighbouring countries including China, Indonesia and Malaysia. About 90 per cent of refugees and asylum-seekers in Malaysia are from Myanmar.